Escorted by her father Albert Nembhard, Shaniek walks up the aisle to Ryann Darling’s I Choose You. (Photos: Kamar McHugh Photography)
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And I’d choose you
In a hundred lifetimes, I’d choose you
In a hundred worlds, I’d find you
…….
I Choose You by Ryann Darling
Drawn together by their faith, the love story of human resource coordinator Shaniek Nembhard and engineer Sajay McIntosh is a beautiful testament to the power of belief and conviction.
The couple tied the knot at the Pentecostal Gospel Temple in Kingston on September 21, 2024 in front of close friends and loved ones.
The pair first met in November 2021 at the National Water Commission offices in Kingston, where he would frequently purchase his signature snack, a cheese bread, at the tuck shop in her department. While their interactions were brief, she felt drawn to him.
“From the very first glance, I could tell he was a man of faith. He was well-mannered but beyond those brief snack purchases, we didn’t interact much at first,” Shaniek told Tuesday Style Vows (TSV).
Their faith cemented their friendship as they would get to know each other better through daily Bible study sessions. However, it would quickly develop into something more meaningful.
“One evening before Christmas 2021, while we were reading the book of Kings, something unexpected happened — I felt it. Love. It hit me so suddenly that I instinctively pushed the thought away,” Shaniek said. “’It’s too soon,’ I told myself. But deep down, something had shifted.”
It would also shift for Sajay, who asked Shaniek if they would like to start a relationship. While her heart wanted to agree immediately, she sought God’s guidance, and they would start dating on December 18. Throughout their relationship, their faith has been the bedrock of all major decisions and challenges. She relied on that faith in March 2023 when she prayed for a sign, asking God if Sajay was the one she was destined to spend the rest of her life with. Immediately, she got her answer.
“During my nightly devotion, I asked God directly, ‘Lord, is Sajay my kingdom husband?’ Almost instantly, I heard a resounding ‘Yes’. It was so clear, so undeniable, that I even stepped outside to check if someone had spoken aloud,” Shaniek recalled. “But there was no one — it was nearly midnight. I returned inside, and in the stillness of that moment, the Lord confirmed His word once more.”
Shaniek’s divine approval laid the stage to a surprise proposal a year later on May 25, 2024 during a scheduled date night. What was originally planned for a quiet evening together turned into a joyous celebration.
“Initially, we had our sights set on Christopher’s at Hermosa Cove. But since it was out of town, he chose a spot in Kingston instead. On the way, he mentioned making a quick stop at Hope Gardens to introduce me to his friend, Odane Lodge. When we arrived, he made the formal introduction, and then, suddenly, Odane stepped back,” Shaniek said “In a blur, Sajay reached into his bag, something slipped from his hands onto the ground, and then — he was on one knee and asked, ‘Would you marry me?’ Before I could even respond, I turned around and saw my family and friends standing there, witnessing this beautiful moment.”
There would be similar beautiful moments at their wedding four months later. The church was elegantly decorated by Nerine Ward. For her special day, Shaniek wore a mermaid dress with detachable train from Sweetest Weddings Jamaica. Escorted by her father, Albert Nembhard, Shaniek walked up the aisle to Ryann Darling’s I Choose You, a moment that made Sanjay emotional.
Guided by Bishops Robert Stewart and Garfield Daley, they committed their futures to each other, to the delight of their friends and family in attendance. The celebrations would move to the Terra Nova Hotel, where a lavish banquet awaited guests. The venue was expertly decorated by Blush and Cherish Events.
The newly-weds took part in the traditional formalities, which included the cutting of their three-tier butter cream fruitcake provided by Amelia Baker. They shared their first dance to Nathaniel Bassey’s See What The Lord Has Done, a testament to their faith.
The couple later honeymooned at the RIU Aquarelle in Falmouth, Trelawny and the Hideaway at Royalton Blue Waters in Trelawny.
